ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
‘Corruption free India for a developed Nation’ short film and skit competition
The Office of the Dean-Students Welfare, Pondicherry University has conducted short film and skit competition among the students and scholars on the theme ‘Corruption free India for a developed Nation’. Students and scholars of the University from the Department of Electronic Media, Department of Performing Arts and Department of Tourism Studies have bagged first, second and third cash prizes. The short films and skits have reflected various dimensions of corruption taking place in the society.
And also a sensitization programme was organized for all the employees of the University in the Executive Council Hall of the University. Dr. R. Bascarane, SP cum WIM , Office of the Vigilance and Anti-corruption, Govt. of Puducherry. Prof. Rajeev Jain, Officer on Special Duty, Directorate of Culture & Cultural Relations has delivered presidential address. Dr. R. Bascarane and Prof. Jain has distributed cash prizes for the teams of winning and runner. Dr. Sibi, Deputy Dean, Students Welfare has offered vote of thanks at the end.
Ministry of Education
Teachers of Government schools can now directly apply for National Teachers’ Award – Shri Prakash Javadekar
Teachers of Government schools can now send their entries directly for National Award for Teachers. Announcing this, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Shri Prakash Javadekar said that this is a new initiative, as earlier entries were selected by the State Government. He said that Government Teachers themselves can apply for National Award for Teachers. In the new system, Government teachers/heads of schools can nominate themselves online. Three teachers will be selected from every district; likewise upto 6 teachers will be selected from every state. An independent jury at national level will select 50 outstanding teachers/ heads of schools for the National award for Teachers. Teachers can also upload the videos of their work done.
Shri Javadekar said National jury will select the best teachers for the National Award on the basis of their innovations and revolutionary changes in education system and style of teachings. The purpose of National Award to the Teachers is to celebrate the unique contribution of some of the finest teachers in the country and to honor those teachers, who through their commitment have not only improved the quality of school education but also enriched the lives of their students.
All teachers working in Government and Government aided schools of States/ UTs, Central Govt. Schools i.e. Kendriya Vidyalayas , Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas , Central Schools for Tibetans , Sainik Schools run by Ministry of Defence , Schools run by Atomic Energy Education Society  and schools affiliated to C.B.S.E. and C.I.S.C.E. are eligible to apply for National Award for Teachers.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah held a high level meeting to review preparedness of measures to deal with monsoon and flood situation in major flood prone river basins in the country
Shri Amit Shah directed officials to develop a well planned scheme to reduce flooding and minimize the loss to property and lives
Union Home Minister asked for action on following up on priority areas to provide permanent solutions to the perennial flood problems in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and North Eastern states
Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah held a high level meeting here today to review preparedness of measures to deal with monsoon and flood situation in major flood prone river basins in the country. Shri Amit Shah directed officials to develop a well planned scheme to reduce flooding and minimize the loss to property and lives.
Union Home Minister also emphasized on better coordination between agencies to have a permanent system for forecasting of floods and rise in water levels in major catchment zones/areas of the country.
Shri Amit Shah asked for action on following up on priority areas to provide permanent solutions to the perennial flood problems in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and North Eastern states.
Union Home Minister also directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Central Water Commission  to review and assess data on real storage capacity of major dams with a view to ensure timely releases of water and prevention of floods.
Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation made a presentation and informed about the major floods that had occurred in the country. He also apprised about the structural measures including management of Dams, Reservoirs, ongoing projects in Nepal, flood protection measures and non-structural measures i.e. flood plain zoning, flood forecasting and way forward to mitigate effect of floods in Ganga and Brahmaputra Basins. Senior Officials of National Disaster Response Force  and India Meteorological Department  also made presentations.
A total of 40-million-hectares area in India is prone to flood in which Ganga and Brahmaputra are main flood basins and Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are most flood prone states.
The decisions taken in the meeting will go a long way to mitigate the sufferings of the lakhs of people in the country who have to face the fury of floods in terms of damage to their crops, property, livelihood and precious lives.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai and senior official of concerned ministries and agencies.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 – New Cases Found
Three  more cases have been found positive for COVID-19. These include two  from Ladakh with travel history to Iran and one  from Tamil Nadu with travel history to Oman. With these new cases, total number of cases are now 34 in the country. 31 cases are being treated in hospitals and are stable. Whereas the earlier three from Kerala have been discharged.
So far as the American national found positive in Bhutan is concerned, more than 150 contacts have been put under IDSP surveillance.
In addition, 108 samples have been received from Iran today morning. These samples are being tested at the laboratory in AIIMS. Also, six scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research  have been stationed in Iran. Equipment and reagents, worth approximately Rs.10 crores have been dispatched to enable them to setup a lab there.
Total of 7,26,122 from 7,108 flights have been screened at airports. Between yesterday morning and today, total of 73,766 passengers from 573 flights have undergone screening at airports.
As many as 52 laboratories are now operational across the country for testing COVID-19 virus. An additional 57 laboratories have been provided with Viral Transport Media and swabs for sample collection.
In order to spread awareness, special COVID-19 mobile phone caller tune was launched by all telecom operators with basic infection prevention messages played when a caller dials-out. Over 117.2 crore subscribers of BSNL, MTNL Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone-Idea are being progressively reached out to through SMSs and Call Backs.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves The Transgender Persons  Bill 2019
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to introduce The Transgender Persons  Bill, 2019. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing Session of Parliament.
The Bill provides a mechanism for their social, economic and educational empowerment.
Impact
The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society. This will lead to inclusiveness and will make the transgender persons productive members of the society.
Background
Transgender community is among one of the most marginalized communities in the country because they don’t fit into the stereotypical categories of gender of ‘men’ or ‘women’. Consequently, they face problems ranging from social exclusion to discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, lack of medical facilities and so on. The Bill shall empower the transgender community socially, educationally and economically.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
New Specified Health Warning on Tobacco Products packs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Rules, 2008 vide GSR 248 dated 13th April 2020 “The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Amendment Rules, 2020”. The amended Rules will be applicable w.e.f. 1st September 2020.
The new set of specified health warnings shall be-
- Image-1, shall be valid for a period of twelve months following its commencement from 1st September, 2020.
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Image- 1
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 Image-2, which shall come into effect following the end of twelve months from the date of commencement of specified health warning of Image-1.
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Image- 2
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The said notification alongwith the soft or printable version of the specified health warnings in 19 languages are available on the websites www.mohfw.gov.in and www.ntcp.nhp.gov.in
In view of the above, it is informed that;
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- All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September, 2020 shall display Image -1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September, 2021 shall display Image-2.
- Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the manufacture, production, supply, import or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall ensure that all tobacco product packages shall have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed.
- Violation of the above mentioned provision is a punishable offence with imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products  Act, 2003.
- The definition of “package” has been amended to be in conformity with the Act and the Rules made thereunder.
Ministry of Finance
Reserve Bank of India- Consumer Education and Protection– Customer Protection Hub at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar – July 14-18, 2023
Consumer education and protection is an integral component of Reserve Bank of India ’s full-service central banking functions.
Customer protection, one of the developmental roles of RBI, is undertaken through Consumer Education and Protection Department . RBI offers Alternate Grievance Redress  mechanism to the customers of its Regulated Entities  primarily through its Offices of RBI Ombudsman  which function under the scope of Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 .
The Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme  along with the CRPC and Contact Center was launched on November 12, 2021 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
Consumer education is imparted through financial awareness campaigns such as awareness programmes/town hall meetings, through pamphlets, brochures, hoardings, television, radio and newspaper advertisements, etc. It is done, interalia, to ensure that the customers do not fall prey to financial frauds, vishing, phishing, identity thefts and other scams and adopt safe banking practices to mitigate the risks.
RBI has set up a Customer Protection Hub at the venue of the G-20 meetings in Gandhinagar from July 14-18, 2023 wherein dignitaries are offered a glimpse of RBI’s various customer centric initiatives, evolution of the Ombudsman Scheme, glimpse of the state-of-the-art web-based integrated Complaint Management System  application, salient features of the RB-IOS, 2021, safe banking practices and awareness initiatives by the Central Bank. The Hub is set up at Stall No.10 and 15 in Exhibition Hall No.3, Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre, Gandhinagar.
Some photos of the kiosk are appended below:
RBI Governor Shri Shaktikanta Das visiting RBI Customer Protection Hub
RBI Deputy Governor Shri Michael Patra visiting RBI Customer Protection Hub
RBI Customer Protection Hub
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
There was smooth functioning of RTI during COVID-19: Dr Jitendra Singh
A total of 4491 online requests have been processed since March, 2020 to 17.09.2020.
The Union Minister of State , Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said that during COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Information Commission had taken steps to facilitate hearing of second Appeals/Complaints through audio/video facilities by intensive use of technology. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha today, he said that as far as Central Information Commission is concerned, a total number of 4491 online requests have been processed since March, 2020 to 17.09.2020.
RTI Online portal  has already been put in place by Department of Personnel and Training since August 2013 to help citizens in filing RTI Applications, First and Second Appeals with the Public Authorities aligned there. Further, Central Information Commission has in place the facility of Audio/Video hearing even before COVID-19 pandemic and all the second Appeals/Complaints cases outside Delhi have been adjudicated through NIC studios at various district headquarters in various states, as suitable for the Appellant and Respondent.
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SNC
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Ministry of Rural Development
Highest ever allocation of Rs. 1,01,500 crore made under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS during financial year 2020-2021; a sum of Rs. 31,493 crore has already been released
Work has been offered to 6.69 crore persons so far in this financial year; Average number of persons to whom work offered in May 2020 is 2.51 crore per day, which is 73% higher than the work offered in May last year
Total 10 lakh works have been completed so far during 2020-2021; Focus is on works related to water conservation and irrigation, plantation, horticulture and Individual Beneficiary works for livelihood promotion
A provision of Rs. 1,01,500 crore has been made under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  in the current financial year 2020-2021. It is the highest ever provision of funds under the programme.
A sum of Rs. 31,493 crore has already been released in 2020-2021, which is more than 50% of the budget estimate of the current Financial Year.
A total of 60.80 crore person days has been generated so far and work has been offered to 6.69 crore persons. Average number of persons to whom work offered in May 2020 has been 2.51 crore per day, which is 73% higher than the work offered in May last year, which was 1.45 crore persons per day.
A total of 10 lakh works have been completed so far during the current Financial Year 2020-2021. A sustained focus is on taking up works related to water conservation and irrigation, plantation, horticulture and Individual Beneficiary works for livelihood promotion.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research – In the fight against COVID19
Goa, May 08, 2020
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa  continues to contribute its share in the fight against COVID19 Pandemic. Scientists and Research Scholars at NCPOR have done significant analytical work in the different laboratories for research work maintaining proper social distance as per the MHA guidelines on COVID-19 precautions. NCPOR Scientists / Research Scholars could make use of the Lockdown period to read research papers pertaining to respective research area and it is expected that good number of research publications is expected in the forthcoming days. Technology has been put into full swing during the lockdown period to achieve collaboration with sister organisations. All official meetings with Ministry of Earth sciences and other organisations like Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology-Pune, National Institute of Ocean Technology- Chennai, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services- Hyderabad, National Centre for Earth Science Studies -Thiruvananthapuram and other organisations like ISRO HQ Bangalore, Space Applications Centre -Ahmedabad, National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad have been arranged through various online modes. Various Webinars and sessions were organized by Web of Science team for MoES Institutes during the lockdown; NCPOR actively participated in the Webinars.
All the Outsourced employees, ninety in number have been paid full wages without consideration of attendance. Approximately 40 Civil Construction Workers are staying inside the NCPOR at construction site without any difficulties during the lockdown and necessary arrangement done for their comfortable stay. Mask and gloves have been provided to all Security Staff  deployed at NCPOR. NCPOR bus is deployed for staff to travel from their home and return with due consideration of MHA guidelines on COVID-19 precautions. One vehicle of NCPOR is deployed with District Collector South Goa for COVID-19 operation in the State of Goa.
Two American Scientists who were on board Ocean Research Vessel Sagar Nidhi were dropped to Mumbai International Airport using NCPOR official vehicle with support and kind cooperation of Goa Government. Dissertation students who completed their project works are being helped to reach their native at Kerala with the help of Government of Goa and Government of Kerala.
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research  was established as an autonomous Research and Development Institution of the Ministry of Earth Sciences , Government of India on the 25th May 1998.With a mission mandate that is quite challenging, the Centre is designated as the nodal organization for the co-ordination and implementation of the Indian Antarctic Programme, including the maintenance of India’s permanent station in Antarctica.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
New Specific Health Warning on Tobacco Products Packs
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified new sets of specified health warnings for all tobacco product packs by making an amendment in the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Rules, 2008vide GSR 331 dated 3rd April 2018 “Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products  Second Amendment Rules, 2018”. The amended Rules will be applicable w.e.f. 1st September 2018.
The new set of specified health warnings shall be-
 Image-1, which shall be valid for a period of twelve months following its commencement from 1st September, 2018.
Image- 1
 Image-2,which shall come into effect following the end of twelve months from the date of commencement of specified health warning of Image-1.
Image- 2
The images, details of the specified health warnings and the Rules are available at www.mohfw.gov.in. The open files of the images have already been obtained by many tobacco product manufacturers/traders from the Ministry by making a request at ntcp.mohfw[at]gmail[dot]com and /or 011-23062868
In view of the above, it is informed that;
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- All tobacco products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September, 2018 shall display Image -1 and those manufactured or imported or packaged on or after 1st September, 2019 shall display Image-2.
- Any person engaged directly or indirectly in the production, supply, import or distribution of cigarettes or any tobacco products shall ensure that all tobacco product packages shall have the specified health warnings exactly as prescribed.
- Violation of the above mentioned provision is a punishable offence with imprisonment or fine as prescribed in Section 20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products  Act, 2003.
Special Service and Features
Padma Shri winning TN-based basketball player P Anitha calls on Union Minister of State Dr L Murugan
Padma Shri winning Tamil Nadu-based basketball player P Anitha today called on Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Information & Broadcasting Dr L Murugan and sought his wishes.
During the meeting at the New Delhi office of the Minister, Anitha expressed pride and happiness over being selected for the Padma honour and thanked the Union government for the tall honour.
Dr Murugan congratulated Anitha for her achievements and wished her to achieve more in future and inspire youngsters.
Anitha, who hails from Chennai, is playing basketball since she was 11. She was conferred the Padma Shri by President Ram Nath Kovind during the Padma awards ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 9 November, 2021.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Double Paralympic Medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu thanks PM Modi for ‘Meet the Champions’ initiative
Paralympic Gold and Silver medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu on Thursday, February 24th visited Salem’s Holy Angles Girls' Matric. Hr. Sec. School in Tamil Nadu and spoke to the students about the importance of sports and a balanced diet in one’s life.
Mariyappan, who interacted with the students of more than 75 schools during his visit, spoke about the importance of sports and a healthy lifestyle in a student’s life and stressed on the importance of having a well-balanced diet.
He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for starting such a unique initiative and said ‘I am thankful to be part of Meet the Champion initiative in Salem and would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modiji for starting such an initiative that involves the sporting fraternity.’
PM Modi during his interaction with the Paralympians and Olympians post the Tokyo Olympics/Paralympics had requested them to visit 75 schools and encourage the future generation to take up sports.
'Meet the Champions' initiative is part of the government’s ‘Azaadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ that was kicked off by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in December 2021 and was taken ahead by Olympic Bronze medallist Bajrang Punia in Haryana, Olympic sailors Varun Thakkar and KC Ganapathy in Rameshwaram, Paralympic Bronze medallist Sharad Kumar in Kerela and Olympic Swimmer Srihari Natraj in Karnataka.
After his interaction with the local students, Mariyappan also played a game of Volleyball with the young kids and showed his serving skills on the court.
The unique school visit campaign is jointly being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, where the Olympians and Paralympians share their own experiences, life lessons, tips on how to eat right and also give an overall inspirational boost to school children.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Takes Over as Chairman, National Highways Authority of India
Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu has taken over as Chairman, National Highways Authority of India today. He is an IAS Officer of 1988 batch Uttarakhand Cadre, who has held important positions in the Central Government and the Government of Uttarakhand, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Government of Punjab.
Dr. Sandhu has done his MBBS from Government Medical College, Amritsar and Master’s Degree in History from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar and is also a Law Graduate.
Prior to his current assignment, Dr. Sandhu was Additional Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, Govt. Of India where he looked after Technical Education.
He has vast experience in field of State Roads, Infrastructure development, PPP Projects, Finance, Urban Development, Environment, Health & Family Welfare, Tourism, Revenue Administration, Rural Development, Power, New & Renewable Energy, Information Technology, Industries and Science & Technology.
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NP/MS
(Visitor Counter : 829
Ministry of Steel
SAIL Supplies Special Steel for India’s Indigenous Navy Warships INS ‘Udaygiri’ and INS ‘Surat’
Steel Authority of India Limited  has supplied 4300 Tonnes of special steel for India’s indigenous navy warships INS ‘Udaygiri’ and INS ‘Surat’. The steel supplied by SAIL comprises DMR 249A grade Plates and HR Sheets. The entire quantity of steel has been supplied from SAIL’s Bokaro, Bhilai and Rourkela Steel Plants. This is in continuation to SAIL’s sustained efforts to contribute substantially in India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ mission and to strengthen the country's efforts towards import substitution.
Earlier, SAIL had supplied special quality steel for India’s various defence projects including INS Vikrant, INS Kamorta among others.